Transformers: Top 10 Decepticons

Welcome back to my self-indulgent love of Transformers. Last time I counted down my pick of the greatest Autobots. Now I have to admit I’ve only really been a fan of a few Autobots over the years (although the current comics are changing that, more on that next week) but Decepticons, now them I know quite a bit more about. I always gravitated more towards the purple brand. Maybe it was because they had cooler robot modes. Maybe it was because their alt modes were tanks and jets and predatory animals. Maybe it was because I thought they always had the better voice actors (Frank Welker, Steve Blum, Adam Baldwin). Whatever the reason I know it made it very hard to pick just 10 but I think I’ve done a good job and hope you enjoy my countdown of the worst the Allspark ever spat out.

10. Thunderwing

Lets start off with a bit of an obscure entry. If you’ve never read any Transformers comics you’ve probably never heard of Thunderwing but he was one of the biggest Transformer villains back in the Marvel comic days. An extremely powerful and ambitious Decepticon, Thunderwing could have become one of their greatest leaders if not for his obsessive personality. Once he sets his sights on something he will let nothing stop him, including treachery and sacrificing his own men. He is also a Pretender Transformer, meaning his true form is encased in a larger shell. Thinderwing’s shell is probably the strongest made, nearly indestructible and covered in weaponry. Thunderwing’s biggest achievement was successfully claiming the Autobot Matrix and corrupting it.

9. Cyclonus

Cyclonus is a rarity among Decepticons. He is extremely loyal and is probably the most honourable Decepticon. Cyclonus is also gifted with intelligence, power and fighting skills. He is sometimes seen as the Ultra Magus of the Decepticons, committed to the Decepticon cause and law to a fault and lacking in much emotion or personality. In newest Transformer lore he has been rewritten as an ancient pre-war Transformer who cares for neither side and fights for whoever he believes is doing what’s best for his species future. Also he probably has the coolest jet alt mode of any Transformer.

8. Bludgeon

He’s a giant robot samurai who has a skull for a head and transforms into a tank! That should be all I need to say about Bludgeon but there’s so much more. A skilled warrior in the ancient Cybertronian fighting art of Metallikato, Bludgeon is one of the greatest warriors ever to join the Decepticons. His feats in battle and charismatic personality have pushed him high in the Decepticon ranks and even into leadership on some occasions. He also has a very strict code of honour and is highly religious and superstitious. He was originally a Pretender with an outer shell of a skeleton samurai but has been remodelled as a standard robot in recent years, though still keeping the bad-ass skull and samurai look.

7. Scorponok

Depending on what continuity you’re in Scorponock is either, a loyal and honourable but conflicted high-ranking Decepticon, a power-hungry warlord who believes in survival of the strongest or an uncontrollable monster. Whatever way Scorponock is written he is always one of the biggest Decepticon powerhouses and is feared by Transformers on both sides. An exceptional fighter blessed with immense strength, Scorponock prefers to attack with hand to hand (or claw) combat and has been seen to rip opponents apart with his huge pincers. He has risen to leadership many times (sometimes by force) but is most known as the commander of the Decepticon Headmasters, robots or constructs whose heads change into smaller Transformers.

6. Overlord

Overlord is possible the most cruel, sadistic and dangerous Decepticon on this list. A Transformer so deadly the creation of his spark killed everyone around it, such was the power unleashed at his birth. A former gladiator, Overlord joined the Decepticons as a way to indulge his violent tendencies and spread his cruelty across the galaxy. He can split his body into a tank and jet to maximise his destruction and has his power augmented by Megatron which has only fuelled his ambition. A complete socio-path Overlord has no real loyalty to the Decepticons and will gladly torture and kill any and all life forms. His only weakness is a fear of failure brought about by his one and only defeat in the arena at the hands of Megatron.

5. Predaking

The Decepticon army has no shortage of combining teams but one literally stands above the rest. The ferocious Predaking is formed by the Predacons, an animalistic and violent team of Decepticons (Similar to the Dinobots). The biggest, strongest and most heavily armed of the combiners, Predaking is also immune to the usual low intelligence or insanity others suffer from merging thanks to the instinct driven minds of the Predacons. Predaking has many times been able to take on multiple combiners by himself. The newest incarnation of Predaking is possibly even cooler; though not a combiner his alt mode is a Dragon and has the intimidating voice of Peter Mensah.

4. Starscream

A dangerous cocktail of ambition, cunning and self-preservation, the treacherous Starscream will stop at nothing to become leader of the Decepticons and ruler of Cybertron. He has accomplished his dreams numerous times but always falls from the top of the mountain. He would have had his spark extinguished long ago if not for his (literal) silver tongue and his genuine contribution as a deadly warrior and tactician. As a former scientist Starscream is extremely intelligent and resourceful. He is also the commander of the Decepticon seekers and air squadron. If Starscream could get over his own arrogance and blinded ambition he would be a huge threat, until than he is destined to rise and be knocked back down or in some instances completely destroyed.

3. Shockwave

Possibly the greatest mind Cybertron has ever known. A pity it’s encased in the cold, cycloptic shell of Shockwave. A being of pure logic and with all emotions removed, Shockwaves intellect and ambition far exceeds those of the Decepticons. Shockwave can back up his brains with power. In his comic debut he took out all the Autobots single-handedly and forcibly took leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron. He has since been at the centre of many of the biggest threats that both factions have faced. Shockwave is a Decepticon only because it suits his own secret agendas and in reality is possibly a bigger threat to the universe than any other Decepticon.

2. Soundwave

No other Decepticon is more dedicated to the Decepticon cause and no more loyal to Megatron than Soundwave. The Decepticon communications specialist, Soundwave hears and sees all, which makes him invaluable to the side but also untrusted by many (like a giant blue, robot Lord Varys from Game of Thrones). Though he is normally found in a command position, Soundwave is surprisingly capable on the battlefield and is one of the larger, stronger Decepticons. His biggest advantage in battle though is the multiple smaller Decepticons concealed in his chest, each deadly soldiers in their own right. Soundwave has endeared himself to many fans because of his original animated incarnations memorable synthesised voice. Remember; “Soundwave superior”.

1. Megatron

A warlord. A Tyrant. A revolutionist. A genocidal maniac. Megatron has been many things over the years in even more incarnations. What’s constant about Megatron is he’s powerful, charismatic and a fearless leader without equal. Most often depicted as an idealistic warrior forged in gladiatorial battle and hard labour in Cybertrons mines. Megatron perceived Cybertrons ruling class as broken and rose up against it, forming the Decepticons and set out to create a united and powerful race. Like many great leaders, Megatron became corrupted by power and ambition, creating the mantra, “Peace through tyranny”. Responsible for more death this side of Unicron and instigating one of the greatest wars the galaxy has ever known, Megatron has unquestionably cemented his place as the greatest, most infamous Decepticon of all time. Que Instruments Of Destruction:

Warning: Lots of Autobots were harmed in the making of this video and one Starscream.

Did you enjoy this list? Let us know your favourite ‘Cons in the comments. Also, be sure to check out our Top Ten Autobots: